Awards Program

NCGE recognizes educators and advocates who have made outstanding contributions to geography education. Awards are given for teaching, research, and service. Award nomination materials are submitted online. Winners are recognized at a special ceremony during NCGE’s annual conference.

Award Nominations

Nominators must be NCGE members at the time of submission. Nominees are not required to be an NCGE member; however, only one nominee per nominator in any award category will be accepted. NCGE reserves the right to not make an award in any given year. There may be more than one winner in any category. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Previous award winners in the same category are ineligible. Applicants should follow the application direction provided on the submission form,

Service and Teaching Awards

George J Miller Award for Distinguished Service to Geographic Education

The Council’s highest award, for distinguished service in geographic education. Nominations are made to the Miller Award committee by contacting the current NCGE president-elect.

AP Human Geography Distinguished Teaching Award

Recognizes excellence in geography teaching for the AP Human Geography course.

Brunn Innovations in Geography Award

Recognizes outstanding elementary, middle, and high school teachers who have demonstrated great creativity, originality, and innovation in their teaching of geography.

Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Awards

Recognizes excellence in higher education geography teaching.

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Honors individuals who work outside of the formal classroom, but have made outstanding contributions to support geography education.

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Awards

Recognizes excellence in geography teaching at the primary and secondary levels.

Research Awards & Grants

Thanks to the generosity of donors who value NCGE’s mission to support geography education, we are able to offer two unique grant opportunities.

E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Grants for Research in Geographic Education

To advance the frontiers of geographic education by supporting and promoting innovative research in theory, practice, and application. Submissions are made to the NCGE Grants Review committee. Deadline to submit: July 20, 2025 @ 11:59pm (EDT)

Salvatore J. Natoli
Dissertation Award

Encourages dissertation research in geography teaching and learning. Submissions are made to the Natoli Grants committee. Deadline to submit: July 20, 2025 @ 11:59pm (EDT)

What Works in Geography (WWGE) Grant

NCGE is now accepting proposals for the "What Works in Geography” (WWGE) 2025 grant cycle. This grant supports empirical research on student cognition and learning behaviors in geography education. The goal of the program is not to "address big questions," "develop a new curriculum," or "restructure a course." The aim is to take a rigorous look at a multitude of “little” research questions focused on specific geography education materials being developed or already in use in classrooms across the country. Please carefully review the call for proposal eligibility criteria and submission guidelines before completing this form. We look forward to learning about your project and its potential impact on the field of geography education. All proposals are due by December 15, 2025 at 11:59pm (ET).

Congratulations to all of the outstanding NCGE award winning educators!

2024 Recipients

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Brielle Carlson

Grand Rapids High School

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Sandra Makielski

Davisville Middle School

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

Bethany Sanders

Dutch Fork High School

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Rebecca Theobald

University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Amy Logan

Iowa State University

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

John Finn

Christopher Newport University

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Heather Moll

Arizona State University

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

Annie Evans

New American History

Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation Award

Sojung Huh

Texas State University

Willard and Miller Geography Education Research Award

Brian Griffiths

Georgetown University

George J. Miller Award for Distinguished Service

Jerry Mitchell

University of South Carolina

NCGE Presidential Award

Charlie Fitzpatrick

Retired

Past Award and Grant Recipients

George J Miller Award for Distinguished Service to Geographic Education

AP Human Geography Distinguished Teaching Award

Higher Education Distinguished Teaching Awards

Brunn Innovations in Geography Award

Outstanding Support for Geography Education Award

K-12 Distinguished Teaching Awards​

E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Grant for Research in Geographic Education

Salvatore J. Natoli Dissertation Award

NCGE Presidential Award